FORMER England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has categorically denied the claims of ex-Arsenal and Tottenham star Sol Campbell - after he accused the Football Association of racism.

Campbell - capped 73 times by his country - claims in his upcoming biography serialised by the Sunday Times, that he would have been captain "for more than 10 years" had he been white.

"I believe if I was white, I would have been England captain for more than 10 years - it's as simple as that," he said.

"I think the FA wished I was white. I had the credibility, performance-wise to be captain."

Campbell also suggested that Michael Owen should not have been given the armband ahead of him, adding: "I think the FA didn't want me to have a voice. Owen was a fantastic forward but nowhere near being a captain. It was embarrassing.

"I've asked myself many times why I wasn't. I keep coming up with the same answer. It was the colour of my skin."

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I believe if I was white, I would have been England captain for more than 10 years - it's as simple as that

Sol Campbell

However, Campbell's former England boss Eriksson has downplayed the claims.

"Not a chance - during my years, not a chance," the Swede told the Daily Telegraph. "As you know, from my first to my last game, I had David Beckham (as captain) and there were never, ever any discussions at all in the team or in the FA about the captain."